Fitness Goals for 2016 – Quarterly Tracking and Baby Steps

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If you have read my post on Starting a Fitness Program, you know that achieving a healthy lifestyle is a work-in-progress for me. This is a new year resolution that I make every single year, and I break every single year. It is almost a ritual.

Now here’s the thing – breaking New Year resolutions is the norm with me; I break most of my resolutions during the course of the year. But this one is particularly ridiculous, as it often doesn’t make it through the first week of the year.

There have been times when I have wondered if I even want to work towards a healthier lifestyle, or just feel that it is a good resolution to make. Do you know what I mean?

This is the first year (in a long time) that I don’t have any specific resolutions in this area of my life; at-least not in terms of specific weight loss goals, or any specific workout routines.

However, I do have one broad goal in mind – This year (2016), I want to work towards developing a Healthy Lifestyle.

Since this is a lifestyle I want to develop, I realize that this will be a slower process, but I am positive that once I do make certain things a part of my life, I will not have to backtrack ever so often and start from square one.

So, small, yet positive changes, once and for all – that is what I hope for.

Quarterly Tracking & Baby Steps

Since I am horrible at sticking to any one resolution for the entire year, and can work better in smaller time-frames – this year, I plan to set quarterly goals, and track them.

I don’t have any particular exercise programs for this quarter, but I might pick out some as the year progresses. As of now – baby steps.

As far as food is concerned, I know for sure that yo-yo dieting doesn’t work for anyone, at-least not in the long term. So in this area, my goal is to make small lifestyle changes, and see if they stick.

Note:These goals are not fancy, and might not look like a lot to many of you, but I don’t want to repeat past mistakes and set huge goals that I have no hope of achieving.

Goals for January – March 2016

Exercise

30 minutes Cardio (Walk/Run) – 4 days a week.

Food

Here I have a ban list, and I am hoping that by the end of the first quarter, I can get rid of the craving for this junk (Yes, I am an optimist like that. 🙂 )

No Chips.(This is my # 1 problem area. Remember the Lays jingle – ‘No one can eat just one’? Yeah, that was possibly coined keeping me in mind. )

No Soda.(Not even the ZERO calorie ones. That is just a dumb excuse.)

No Pizza.(Making an exception for homemade pizza, but since that happens only once in a blue moon, I think I will be fine.)

I would love to hear from you guys. Have you made any New Year resolutions regarding health/fitness this year? Do you have a plan to track them? If something has worked for you in the past, do let me know in the comments, it will help me out.

P.S.I will have a post up on 31st March reviewing how the quarter went, and my plan for the next quarter.

I pretty much understand what you say there, for mine is the same story! I have also decided on picking up monthly goals, because giving up something for a whole year is so horrendous sounding, that I just want to go and eat that thing! So, good luck to us! 🙂

I am really keen to see how this goes, Shantala.I did a 90 day no sweets diet in 2014 and it was fabulous! Hoping to do it again this year. Will look forward to your updates 🙂Shailaja recently posted…The Checklists that matter

Happy New Year. If you have been reading my blog posts, you will see that instead of making resolutions for entire year, break them in smaller bits. That way you can track them and achieve one after other. Read my post Divide and Conquer that I wrote few days back.

I completely understand your points. I am going to continue to aim for better fitness and wellness in 2016 too. My fitness goals for 2015 were small steps – similar to yours – with regular exercise, less eating out, no pizza, no soda or chips and things like that. It has really helped! I have similar goals for 2016 and I know with easy steps it will be manageable! 🙂Pixie recently posted…Day 15: Courage

I know I I have had that habit too…breaking my resolutions especially those healthy living ones..but this time I stick to no resolutions.. but trying to mend my mind to follow a healthy lifestyle even if I break once in a while..to get back on track without any regrets ? all the best to your healthy 2016 ?☺Bilna recently posted…The Best of 2015 – My Blogging Journey

Thank you so much, Bilna. And yes, that is the more sensible way to go about resolutions. We need to accept that we will fall, and every time we do – we should just get right back up, and keep moving forward. 🙂Shanaya Tales recently posted…Fitness Goals for 2016 – Quarterly Tracking and Baby Steps

I like this idea Shantala. Baby steos sound good. I’ll do it too. Other than one hour of exercise I plan to have monthly diet goals. Fingers crossed now and following your journey. Will watch out on FB.Obsessivemom recently posted…The end-of-year post

Sounds good to me, Shantala. Breaking it into smaller goals is easier. I have been reasonably regular with my exercise. I hope to continue the same in 2016. I have just started maintaining a daily journal on Exercise in Evernote.

Baby steps is the way to go. Also with the goals, outlining how you will stick to them helps. I have health and fitness goals too. I want to lose weight and I plan to exercise at least 5 times a week. My eating is a bigger problem and for me, it’s my sweet tooth. I’m aiming to cut refined sugars from my diet — no chocolate, no cakes, no biscuits. I’m aiming to plan my weekly meals so I avoid eating crap. Good luck with your goals!Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted…Book Review: King of the Road #aussieauthor

Best of luck to you in your goals! I know that it may be hard at first, but all it takes is a little determination and after a while it will be regular for you. Thanks for the read!John recently posted…Build Mass Gain Muscle

Sticking to any fitness regime is something I just cant manage. But it is something that I cant ignore any longer. So baby steps sounds great. Here’s hoping that I am able to stay focused on this front!

I am a no-diet no-exercise girl. I just can’t stick to either of them. I either starve one whole day and gorge on anything and everything the next. All the best with your regime. Waiting to know how this turns out for you. 🙂Shalini recently posted…Is a Meager ‘RIP’ enough? #MondayMusings

30 -40 min of cardio, walk, run 4 days a week is actually a vey healthy habit. I too intend to follow this. No chips, no soda, no pizzza sounds a little tough….doable though for a month. 🙂 All the best with your resolutions Shantala.Somali K Chakrabarti recently posted…How these brands got their names

I know the ban is tough, but doable. Especially considering that I haven’t banned all fried foods (which I think I must, eventually), for a while anyway, and then eat in moderation (if that is even possible for me). 🙂

You have set very realistic goals! 30 minutes of cardio 4 times a week is actually very good. I only do cardio twice a week 😛 But alas, chips are my krytonite! I wonder if those ‘baked not fried’ organic chips are worth the trouble though?

No, I guess not. I have gone the baked route, and I don’t think it helps at all (or tastes as good, for that matter). Thank you for stopping by. Glad to have you here. 🙂Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo

Yeah, it has been on my mind for quite some time now, but only now have I worked out an action plan. Wishing you (and your spouse) a healthier/fitter 2016 too. 🙂Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo

Yeah, I know a lot of people struggle with sweets; my battle is with the salty snacks. Will keep you updated, and would love to hear from you too. Lets cheer each other on. 😀Shanaya Tales recently posted…Word of the (Reading) Year and a Bookish Bingo

Thats a good overall goal sweetie! Why not?! To me a healthy lifestyle includes training of both body and soul… Its all connected I believe… And doing it all baby-step-like makes it more realistic to stick with, it gets like a change of your life style really. Go do it girl, I cheer for you!:-) Best of luck, and a happy new year!!Eli recently posted…Hello 2016! – New Year’s resolutions anyone?

I strongly believe that it’s only the lifestyle changes that can help to lead a healthier life … the fad diets and crash courses are temporary stuffs. Glad you too have similar thoughts 😀 Wish you good luck with your goal. For me it’s Rice – I can’t help it. I just want more rice 😛Rajlakshmi recently posted…Tai O – Of Stilt houses & Puffer Fish

I really like your goals – they’re realistic but not too easy that it’s gonna make you feel like you’re slacking off. I think the hardest item on your list is sticking to the banned food items. It took a while before I was able to let go of soda but after much perseverance and support from family and friends, I was able to do it!

Thank you so much. So far, I am able to deal with the banned list. But the exercise part of it is a struggle – mostly due to the freezing temperatures. :/Shanaya Tales recently posted…The books I picked for Bookish Bingo

Hahah this is third time I’ve preferred FITNESS as my new year resolution but as usual I was not able to complete it :p Tried to bann lot of food items from my dinner/lunch but I guess I won’t be able to do it for so longer now!

I’m glad you have set the above goals and I believe you definitely can live a healthier life if you keep these goals every day. Plus, the healthy diets are also important. Hope you achieve your goals in the near future!

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Hi there! I am Shantala, Book-Nerd-In-Chief at Shanaya Tales, this book blog of mine, where I talk about books, my reading life & share new reviews & recommendations every single week, in addition to all the random bookish banter. Read More